Summary: Two people accused of a strong-arm robbery last summer in Cornelius have been convicted and sentenced in Washington County Circuit Court.

The case: On Sept. 14, police responded to a bus stop at 10th Avenue and Baseline Street where a man had been robbed. The victim told police a man and woman had walked up to him and shown a homemade weapon, which appeared to be a sock filled with gravel. The pair took the victim's headphones and cell phones from him. When the man tried to take the victim's backpack, the victim hung on to the backpack and ran away to call 911. The suspects were found about eight blocks away in Harleman Park. The stolen property was recovered and returned to the victim. Miguel Juarez Santoyo, 22, and Cristina Ventura Vasquez, 21, were arrested on suspicion of second-degree robbery. Santoyo was also accused of unlawful use of a weapon.

Update: On Jan. 8, a jury found Santoyo guilty of first-degree robbery. On Jan. 9, Vasquez pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree robbery.

Sentence: Santoyo was sentenced to 7½ years in prison, followed by three years of post-prison supervision. Santoyo was fined $200 and is to have no contact with the co-defendant or victim. Vasquez was sentenced to three years of probation, including treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, fined $200 and ordered to pay $1,800 in attorney’s fees.